Filep Motwary has taken the concept of blogging to new heights, turning Un Nouveau Ideal into a hub of creative inspiration. Having recruited numerous contributors from across the globe, Filep regularly branches off to explore his many skills and collaborate in a plethora of projects. We caught up with the creative connoisseur to find out more about his renowned blog and what he is hoping for when sitting on the 1Hundred judging panel…
When starting your blog, what were your main aims for its direction and voice?
The first year was pretty much a melt of personal photos, going to parties and photos or subjects I would find on Google. Of course it wasn’t much of an interest to anyone but me. Then I slowly started to reveal my creative side, I bought a better camera, worked on my writing skills and started to take photographs of other designers’ work. My first major interview came a month or two before my blog’s first birthday and it was Jean Jacques Picart, who was kind enough to answer a questionnaire that I sent him, then came Rick Owens. My blog will be eight years old this Christmas and so far I have interviewed almost all the major names in fashion, around 150 individuals, from Yohji Yamamoto to Juergen Teller.
How have both yourself and the blog progressed?
We don’t Google anymore; we bring the news to Google. My page today is about exclusive material, it doesn’t matter if it’s mine or if it’s coming from my precious correspondents from around the world. I have three in London, three in Paris, one in Milan, two in New York, one in Sweden and one in the Netherlands. Also, others embrace the integrity of the blog. For example my page is linked to Another Magazine, POP magazine, “A” magazine Curated By, SOME/THINGS magazine, The Stimuleye, Dazed&Confused, Dapper Dan magazine and many other blogs worldwide. It was also chosen as one of the ten major European blogs by Dazed in 2009 and won third prize at the Golden Blog Awards in Paris last year.
With the growing number of blogs cropping up, how do you ensure Un Nouveau Ideal stays unique and true to your original ideas?
We all love and know fashion. We are obsessed with it. Myself as well as the people who write for my blog are either designers, photographers, artists, PR’s, musicians, illustrators or interns for major fashion labels and their age ranges from 20 to 45. We are all professionals with various skills and strong opinions. My page remains true to its morals and this is its main success.
When did your interest in fashion begin?
I am 34 years old and for as long as I remember my aim was to conquer beauty. As a kid I used to have icons like any other kid. I knew every model’s name, every designer, I would spend all the money my parents gave me on magazines or costume history books and I idolized Tim Blanks. I had the chance to tell him so while backstage at Giambattista Valli’s S/S12 presentation a month ago.
What is your career highlight to date?
My work with my partner Maria Mastori exhibited at the Hasselt Mode Museum in Belgium. The “JURY PRIZE” award our film just received at the ASVOFF#4 at Pompidou last month- directed by Suzie Q and Leo Siboni interviewing Christian Lacroix 2 years ago, working for John. But really, there are so many achievements I am happy about.
Having completed several internships, Dior and Chloe to name a couple, do you feel they are a necessity for young designers?
Of course! Fashion is not about fancy dresses only. It’s like a chain. Remember the scene in the Devil Wears Prada when “Andrea” refers to fashion as “this sort of stuff”? I think Meryl Streep’s response is the most accurate description one could give about fashion and its importance to the world.
Would you voice your opinion on whether blogs are a good way for young designers to advertise themselves? A recent article mentioned bloggers may want payment of some sort before they write about that person…
I always support young designers, though a blog-post lasts for a day if not for only a few hours, since another one will top it in a very short time and then another and another. If a designer or a brand wants my visitors to focus on their product, of course they need to pay. I give them visibility, possible customers and maybe another angle for how others perceive their work. For example yesterday a young designer from Spain sent me his beautiful work. It was the third season he had sent me his collection. I posted it and this morning a very prestigious boutique selling brands like Givenchy and Alaia asked me for his contact. Automatically, the designer gets recognition and possible orders, no?
What are your views on the opportunities out there for emerging design talent?
When there is a will there is a way. Success contains a lot of effort in order to get it: talent, politics, instinct, manners, public relations, money, support from the magazines etc. The product must be good. As long as someone presents something interesting, as long as the quality is good, success will come.
Is there anything you look for in particular when discovering new creative talent? And who is on your radar at the moment?
Yes, I ask myself whether I would be this man or the woman or in other cases I check whether I get a kick when looking at the collection. For the moment I am in love with Danish designer Julie Eilenberger.
When on the Internet, which websites do you go straight to and why?
Style.com in case I miss a show, Interview magazine for the interviews, SelfService because it has such a strong identity, and The New York Times.
What will you be expecting from the designers when on the LOOKK 1Hundred judging panel?
I want to see something that will rock me. Not necessarily extravagant, but surely a collection that has substance.
Whats next for Filep Motwary and Un Nouveau Ideal?
So many things! A new collection, a new film, magazine contributions and a major project-collaboration, released in early 2012.
Keep yourself in the know by visiting Filep’s blog here.
Videos courtesy of Filep Motwary
Tags: 1Hundred Competition, Filep Motwary, Maria Mastori, Un Nouveau Ideal
